Convertible top latching means



New. 1, W49 J. w. J. ACKEZRMANS CONVERTIBLE TOP LATCHING MEANS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 17, 1946 NW. 1, W49 .1. w. J. ACKERMANS2,486,905

CONVERTIBLE TOP LATCHING MEANS 76 gt a I N VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE T01LATCHING MEANS John W. J. Ackermans, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 17, 1946, Serial No. 641,788

12 Claims.

The invention relates broadly to foldable vehicle tops and moreparticularly to an improved means for latching the top in a closedposition.

In conventional vehicles, foldable tops are supported in the closedposition by body frame members which extend above and behind thewindshield and are held attached thereto by suitable clamps. Since theseclamps must be separately loosened or tightened each time the top isopened or closed, the operation of engaging or releasing the top is anarduous one. The difficulty is aggravated by the fact that a substantialnumber of the clamps are usually provided and many of them are locatedin diflicultly accessible places; moreover, they are located at spacedintervals along the forward edge of the top and the person opening orclosing the clamps must reach from one side of the car to the other inorder to complete the operation.

An important object of the present invention is to provide means forlatching the foldable top to the frame wherein all of the latch membersmay be released or engaged simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovementioned character in which the latch means is operated by a singlehandle located within the vehicle and substantially medially of the top.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove mentioned character in which the operating handle is readilyaccessible to and easily operated by any person in the vehicle whilebeing substantially flush with the lower surface of the foremost bow.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a folding topconstruction which permits a vertical, flush-type seam or joint betweenthe forward end of the top and the frame members.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein likenumerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a latching mechanism embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view taken on the line5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line fi6of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line of Fig.1; and,

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing how a tacking strip is mounted in Figs.3 and 4.

Considered in certain of its broader aspects, the vehicle topconstruction embodying the present invention comprises a stationaryframe or cowling at the front of the roof and a foldable top which iscarried by a plurality of supports or bows, the foremost of which isU-shaped. These bows are pivoted on the body of the vehicle in theconventional manner and when the top is closed, the foremost bow issupported by the edge of the cowling.

I have provided a novel union between the foremost bow and the cowlingwhich permits the bow to be easily moved from or against the cowling andprovides a vertical flush-type weatherproof seam or joint therebetween.Attached to the edge of the cowling and extending transversely acrossthe vehicle roof is a hollow rail which supports the bow when the top isclosed. The bow carries a hollow or tubular support and the latter isprovided with a forwardly projecting lip which fits in a recess at theupper rear edge of the rail. Disposed between the walls of the recessand the confronting surfaces of the lip is a sealing strip of rubber orthe like. Manifestly, the sealing strip can be attached either to thewalls of the recess or to the lip but I prefer that it be carried by thelatter.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the recess definesa horizontal shoulder which extends under the lip to the inner face ofthe rail and also a vertical wall which extends to the top of the railand sustains forward thrust of the bow. This construction permits easyengagement and disengagement of the foldable top with the cowling; and,at the same time, provides a weathertight joint therebetween.

I have also provided a novel latch mechanism for holding the foremostbow securely attached to the cowling in which all of the latches can beengaged or released simultaneously by means of a readily accessiblehandle located Within the vehicle. Mounted within the support andprojecting forwardly thereof through suitable openings are pivotedlatches which enter aligning openings in the rail and releasably engagerespective catches provided therein. The actuator mechanism for thelatches includes a rockshaft which extends longitudinally in the supportand between the latches. Attached to the rockshaft is a manuallyoperated handle which extends into the vehicle through a transverse slotin the support. Preferably, the operating handle is located at the frontof the top and substantially medially in the vehicle where it is readilyaccessible. This handle can be swung through a predetermined arc and aspring clip securely but releasably engages therewith at each end of itstravel to hold it stationary. .At-it-s ends thes'rockshaft=is =providedwith .laterallyioifset portions and :each of these portions is coupledto a respectiv latch by a suitable linkage. These linkages are identicaland each comprises a horizontalslideanda link pivoted at one end to theslide and at the other end to the latch. The slide has awertical slotwhich loosely receives the end portions of the rockshaft. By reason ofthe *slotte'd connection between the rockshaft and the plate, .the'construction adapts itselfareadily to the arched for- ..mation of the.bow and variations incurvature thereof. This.-is an importanhfeature ofthe invention since .the curvature .in .thebow, may .vary considerably:and even though it varies, the same latches may .be employed since.they will accommodate such variations. end portions .swing about .theaxis of .the shaft, they .actuate the slides which Iin turn .rock thelatches about their pivots through the medium .ofthelinks. When the.handlefis swung, forwardly the latches .are engaged with the .catches,and -.when .the handleis. swung .rearwardly, the. latches .arereleasedfrom the catches. vThe'latchespref- .erablyexert-a wedging action.against the catch .elements,.-in.order .to..draw .thelbow and railtogether and press the sealing strip solidly against the .vertical .wall.of .the recess. This insures a Weathertightjoint.

.To close \the .top .it is swung forwardly .in the .usualmanner .withthe .handle pulledjbackto hold .thelatches in.acatchreleasin tposition.As the foremost .bow approaches .the rail, .the guide ,or 'dovetailengages .toeffect alignment ..of the parts .longitudinallyof .thevehicle. To .latch the top .it .is.mer e1y ne,cessar.y to reverse .the,positionpf the (operating handle which moves .thelatches simultaneouslyinto interlocking. engagement with the: catch elements.

Flora more detailed=description-of theinven- ,tion, {IBfGIBIlCEslS had.to the. accompanying.draw- .ingswherein the numeral m designate-safrag- .mentary portion .of (the cowling which icovers the forwardportion of the .vehicle .roof. .Attached tea-flange lfatrtherearwardedge-of .the cowling lllfandtoannnder supporting plate l4 .is.a hollow.or .tubularrail ll 6. :materialand extendsltransversely across-the ve-.hicle roof. Immediately below .,the=flange.l2, the rail :lfi is formed.with .ahorizontal extension .20 .whichgtogether with the flange J2,-.defines .a longitudinalrabbeted recess atrthe upper-edge of therail. The rail 5! (his-secured.tozashort'metal-chan- ;nel :2-2! which:is :centrally located and? this channel istweldedito lthe rail as:indicated .at 2.4. Within the :channel a .fibrous' block 26 is:provided and this'block is secured by a bolt28 and nut29 'to --a metalplate 30=which is'welde'dto the 'front wall of the channel. Both frontwalls of the rail -l6 and channel 22 have openings 3| to accommodate'said bolt "and nut 'so that'the fibrous block may beeasily secured .inplace. I

,As best shown by Fig. 6, the block 26 has a V-shaped notch or;recess 32which opens upwardly and the rail extension 20 'is .open in the regionof the notch as'indicated at 33. The notch .Thus, when the offsetThelatter .is formed of.sheet and Weldedor otherwise secured thereto.

is adapted to receive a V-shaped metal element which presently will bedescribed.

The foremost bow 33 is substantially tubular in form and the portionthereof which extends across the vehicle top comprises a support for thelatching mechanism. The upper portion of the support comprises a metalstrip 34 which xtends transversely across the fabri top 36 and thelowerportion thereof -.comprises .a U-shaped .metal stripGB. The rearawall6'3 of thelower strip 38 is welded to a depending flange 42 on the upper:.strip 34 and the front wall M thereof is formed with a forwardlyextending flang 16 which is flush-with theforward edge of the upperstrip At its forward end, the strip 34 is folded downwardly as indicatedatz'lll'gand retain a tacking strip 48 and .the.fabric 36 i tacked tothe latter by tacks 50 which extend through notches or scallops 5| instrip .34.

"The strip l-8 form-s'a projecting lip along the "upperedge of the 'bowwhich-enters the recess 'in th 'rail "ifi'when the bow is swungto'the'closed position. Attached to the lip and closing the jointbetween'it and-the walls of the recess is 'a sealing'strip 52 of rubberor the'like. Preferably, the sealing strip 52 covers the entire frontand bottom surfaces of the lip, as shown in Fig. 3,-so that it seats ontheextension'ZU and-against-the 'flange l2 to hold the top flush withthe'cowling and prevent metal-to-metal contact "between the bowandirail.

Below the rubber 52, the front wall 44 has 'a U-shaped element 53 weldedthereto and this elementisadapted to enter the opening 32 inc tension'23 on rail i6 and seat in the notchfifl in block26. It is evident thatthe element 53 and notch3'3 co-operate to center the front end of thetop laterally of the vehicle and to guide the top to its properposition. This is particularly important in connection with latchingmeans to be described as it ensures proper location of the latches for:engagement and disengagement.

'Inorder'tolatch the foldabletop to the cowling "I provide ;a pair 'ofspaced catch elements 54 in "the lower portion of the rail l6 and a pairof pivoted latches 56in the lowerportion of the'bow 33. While only onecatch element 54 and one latch 56 ;is shown in the drawings, it will beunderstood that there are two of each and that they are disposed atopposite sides of the roof. Such latches 56 are mounted on 'verticalpivots 58 and project forwardly of the bow 33 through the openingsfifi.When the bow is against the rail I Sjthe'latches areadapted to projectthrough aligning openings 62 in "the latter and engage catch elements54.

Each of the latches 56 is actuated by-a rock- 'shaft 154 which extendslongitudinally through "the'bow 33 and between the latches. Attheirinner ends, the rockshaft '64 projects into op- -posite ends of a tubefifiand are welded thereto.

The tube'65 fits at its ends in downwardlyopen semicircular'recesses 63provided indownwardly projecting flanges 61 formed on a bracket plate6.8 welded to strip 38. Such-ends of-the tube are held in the recesses.66 by plates 69 :having U- U-shaped recess or hole receiving the shaft64 is bolted to the flange and the two separable parts turnably supportthe shaft. It is evident that the shafts $4 and tube 65 may be easilyassembled with plates 69 and 14 during assembly of the latter and bow.The portions 15 of the rockshaft which extends beyond bearing plates 12are laterally offset, as shown in Fig. 1. As suggested, the offsetportions 15 actuate latches 55 through the medium of suitable linkageswhen the rockshaft is oscillated.

Oscillation of rockshaft 64 is accomplished manually by means of ahandle 16, which handle is attached to the tube 55 at substantially itsmiddle and extends into the vehicle through a transverse slot 18 in thelower part 38 of bow 33. At its inner or attached end the handle 15 isprovided with laterally extending fingers l9 and 80 which embrace thetube 65, and these fingers are attached to the tube rockshaft by a bolt82 and nut 34. When the handle 16 is in the forward position, as shownby the full lines in Fig. 3, the offset end portions 15 are positionedforwardly in the how 33 as shown in Fig. 1. On

the other hand, when the handle 16 is in the rearward position shown bythe dot and dash lines in Fig. 3, the offset end portions 15 extendrearwardly as shown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 1. In order to preventmetal-to-metal contact of handle 16 with the rail l5 and support 2 68,it is equipped with a suitable bumper 85 of rubber or the like.

The handle '66 is releasably held in the two positions shown in Fig. 3by means of a spring clip 88 which is attached to the support 58 at thefront of the tube 65. As best shown in Fig. 5 the clip 88 is providedwith a pair of laterally spaced resilient arms 59 and 92 Which snap intorecesses 94 and 96 in the sides of fingers 19 and 80. When handle 15extends forwardly, the finger I9 is engaged by clip 88, and when thehandle extends rearwardly. the finger 80 is engaged thereby, as shown inFig. 3.

The linkages for transmitting motion from rockshaft B4 to the latches 56comprise slides 98 and links I110. The slides 98 are carried by supports73 and are provided with vertically elongated slots E02 which receivejournals Hi l on the offset ends 15. The vertically elongated slots I52in slides 98 accommodate the vertical movement of the offset endportions 15 of the rockshaft 5%, and, as shown in Fig. 2, the slottedconnections between the rockshaft and the slides permit the mechanism toreadily adapt itself to the arched formation of the how 33. As bestshown in Fig. 4, the bottom portions H of bracket plate 53 are spacedfrom the how 33 and the lower portions of the slides 58 extend throughelongated slots therein. The upper edges of the slides 98 are providedwith grooves use and these grooves receive guides llll which arecarried. by supports I3. At one side of the slides 98, the plates 13 aredepressed downwardly as at H2, and the depressed portions rest solidlyon the bottom of the bow 33. One end of the links Hill are pivoted tobrackets I It on the slides 98 and the other ends thereof are pivotallyattached to the latches 56 at one side of the pivot pins 58.

It will be readily apparent that when the offset end portions 15 areswung rearwardly, the slides 98 are retracted and the links I00 move thelatches 56 away from catches 54. When the offset end portions are swungforwardly the slides 98 are advanced and links I00 move the latches 56into engagement with the catches 54. As the latches move intoengagement, inclined surfaces H6 thereon exert a wedging action againstthe catches which press-holds the bow 33 solidly against the rail l6 andcompresses the rubber sealing strip 52. Behind the inclined surfaces H5,the latch elements are provided with shallow sockets H8 which receivethe catch elements and hold the latches securely but releasablyassociated therewith.

It is to be understood that when the latches are retracted, their frontends will move out of slots 62 and be fully retracted through slots sothat the top may be opened and closed without the latches interferingwith such operations. 1

In the foregoing it has been mentioned that th rubber strip 52 seals theline between folding top and stationary part or bow at the rear endthereof. While this is an efficient means to prevent leakage, etc., itmay be stated too that the bow may be slightly concave in cross-sectionor otherwise shaped to form a water collecting gutter extendingcrosswise of the vehicle so as to drain any water possibly leaking pastthe seal to points at opposite sides of the vehicle.

Although only one form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications may be made without departing from the scopeof the claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a foldable vehicle top of the type adapted to besupported at its forward end by body frame members, means for latchingthe top to the frame members comprising a pair of spaced vertical catchelements carried by said frame members; a bow carried by and movablewith the forward edge of the top; a pair of latches pivoted on the bowand adapted to move in substantially horizontal planes into and out ofengagement with respective catch elements and when engaged therewith tohold the top solidly attached to the frame members; and an actuatoroperable from within the vehicle for simultaneously moving the latchesto either a catch engaging position or a catch releasing position, saidactuator including a rockshaft extending trans versely across the topand journaled in said bow, said rockshaft having crank end portionswhich swing about the axis of the shaft, a handle attached to therockshaft and adapted to swing said end portions through a predeterminedarc, and coupling assemblies including horizontally movable slideshaving vertically elongated slots which receive said crank ends, saidassemblies tiltable about the crank ends and having a relatively greatangular adjustment and adapted to transmit motion from said end portionsto the latches whereby the latter are rocked about their pivots andrelative to said catch elements.

2. In combination with a foldable vehicle top of the type adapted to besupported at its forward end by body frame members, means for latchingthe top to the frame members comprising a pair of spaced vertical catchelements carried by said frame members; a bow carried by and movablewith the forward edge of the top; a pair of latches pivoted on the bowand adapted to move in substantially horizontal planes into and out ofengagement with respective catch elements and when engaged therewith tohold the top solidly attached to the frame members; and an actuatoroperable from within the vehicle for simultaneously moving the latchesto either a catch engaging position or a catch releasingposiztiomrsaidractuator including a rockshaftaextendtransversely acrossthetopand journaled to .said :bow, :saidrockshait ,having crank end por-11710115;Whl;Ch:SWiIig abut1the axisiof the shaft, a :handle:attached'to {the .rockshaft and adapted to swing said end gPOItiQIlSthrough :a predeterzmined arc, transverse =plate.members having ver-:tically elongated :slots which receive said crank endsi-and permitrelatively great angular adjustment in a vertical plane containing saidrockshaft, zmeans sholding the plates against rotation abut permittingsliding :movement thereof in iplanes substantiall transverse toitheaaxisaofsaid --r.o,ckshaft, and pivoted links =carriedby the platesand attached :to-theil-atches-atone side ,of their :gIJiVOtS.

2-3. ,-In combination with ca .foldable vehicle top ..of :the typeadapted to be-supported at ,its forward end .-by :body frame members,;means for ilatchingithe top to the framem'embers comprislingra pairofspaced vertical vcatch elements car- ,ried -by said {frame members; abow-carried by and movable with the forwardedge of the top;aapair'ofilatches .pivotedson the bow and-movable about said pivots iinsubstantially horizontal planes, said slatches having catchrengagingendsadapted to .move back and forth relative to the zlongitudinahmiddle vof'the ,vehicle top into and nut of engagement withrespectivecatchelements and when engaged therewith to press-hold the topsolidly-attached to the frame members; and -:-an actuator :operable fromwithin the vehicle for simultaneously :moving the latches to either a.catchengagingposition or a catch releasing position, said actuatorincluding a rockshaft extending transversely across the top and journaled to :said bow, said rockshaft ,having crank end por- :tionswhich-swing about the axis ofithe shaft, a handle attached to therockshaft and adapted to .SWiIlg saidend portions throughapredeterm'ined iarc, plate members carried by said end portions andprovided with vertically elongated .slots through which said :endportions extend and which permit relatively great angular. adjustment ofsaid ,plate members @about said crank :ends whereby tocompensateforcurvatureiin said ,ve- ,hicle top, guide ,means supporting said plate:members for-movement in a-zdirection transverse lto:the,-axis of saidrockshaftand normal to the .major .axes of said slots, and pivoted linkscarried by the plate members and attached to said latches atone side oftheir pivots, the various parts :of said actuator so constructed andarrangedx-thata full movement of said handle moves thecatch engagingends of said latches through an angle substantially less than saidpredeter- .iminedl'arc.

'4. aArfoldable top construction for vehicles comprising "a stationaryhollow vrail at the forward end of the vehicle, said rail extendingtransverselyacross the vehicle roof and provided with "a recess; a,foldable top mounted on the vehicle; .a hollow bow carriedby the top,a-sealingistrip between the \bow ,andlsaid .raiLadapted .to close the,joint ,therebetween; spaced catch elements ,incsaidlrail ,pivotedllatches ,mounted in the .bow ,and projecting lforwardly throughopenings in the -lattensaid ilatches adapted to enter openings in therail and engage the catch elements; .an extension onts'aidbow adapted toenter and it snugly in said recess when the top is closed, .said ,recessand said extension having ,corre- .spondingly tapered side Walls whichwedgesolidly together to .hold the .topinfixed association with therailhand are operative .to position said latches :in proper. relation.tosaid catches and to prevent loosening and rattling .of the latchesdue to lateral movement of the toprelative to said rail when the vehicleis in motion; and an actuator operable from-within the vehicle forsimultaneously moving the latches to either a catch engaging position ora catch releasing positiomsaid actuator including -,a rockshaftjournaled in the vbowland extending longitudinally therethrough betweensaid latches, said rockshaft having laterally offset crank end portions,a handle attached to the rockshaft and extending into the vehiclethrough a transverse slot ,in the bow,

.said'handle being manually operable and adapted to swing the endportions of the rockshaft through a predetermined arc,-plate membersprovided with vertically elongated slots which receive and accommodatevertical movement of said crank end portions whereby said plate membersare vertically stationary in the how but slidablyactuated horizontallyby the rockshaft,

and pivoted links carried by the plate members andattached to saidlatches at one side of their pivots whereby to rock the latches abouttheir pivots .and relative to the catch elements when the plate membersare cslidably actuated by the rockshaft.

5. A foldable top construction for vehicles comprising astationary railforming the roofs outer surface contour at the front of the vehicle,said rail provided at the rearward edge thereof with a rabbet whichextends continuously across the top of the vehicle and said rabbethaving an upwardly and rearwardly opening centrallylo- ,ingstrip betweentheend surface of the top and the vertical wall of the rabbetfor closingthe joint therebetween; and latch means for releasably attaching the,roof to the rail and for pulling the former solidly against saidsealing means.

v6. A foldable top construction for vehicles comprising an archedstationary rail forming the roofs outer surface contour at the front ofthe vehicle, said rail provided at the rearward edge thereof with arabbet which opens onto the top of the vehicle roof and having anupwardly and rearwardly vopening recess located centrally of therabbet;a foldable top mounted on the vehicle, the forward end of said topshaped to interfit with saidrabbet and adapted to be supported-bysaidcrail, said'end having a fixed member positioned to enter therecess, said recess .andsaid fixed member having correspondingly taperedside walls which wedge solidly together when the top is closed; asealing strip carried by the top and adapted to seat against thevertilcal wail of the rabbet and means for latching vthe top -to the.rail including spaced catch elements carried by the rail below saidrabbet,

.pivoted latches carriedby saidltop and-adapted to .move into and out.of engagement with the catch elements and when engaged therewith -tohold the sealing strip pressed solidly against the vertical wall of therabbet, said latches automatically positioned for proper engagement withsaid catch elements by said recess and said fixed member, and anactuator operable from within the vehicle and cooperatively associatedwith said latch members, said actuator adapted to move the latchessimultaneously to either a catch engaging or a catch releasing position.

7. In a foldable top construction for vehicles, a stationary railforming the roofs outer surface contour at the forward end of thevehicle,

said rail provided with an upwardly and rearwardly opening rabbet whichextends longitudinally thereof and transversely of the vehicle, saidrail also provided at substantially its middle with an upwardly andrearwardly opening recess; a foldable top mounted on the vehicle; a bowat the forward end of the top; and means for supporting the bow on therail including a forwardly extending flange on the bow adapted to fitinto said rabbet when the top is closed, and a forward extension on thebow which enters the recess when the top is ciosed, said extension andsaid recess having correspondingly tapered side walls which wedgetogether and coact to guide the bow into alignment with the rail and toprevent relative lateral movement or play between the rail and the bowwhen the top is closed, the mentioned parts of said rail and said bowpermitting at least limited linear movement of the bow longitudinally ofthe vehicle and relative to said rail without disengaging the bow fromthe rail.

8. A foldable top construction for vehicles comprising a stationary railforming the roofs outer surface contour at the forward end of thevehicle, said rail provided with a rabbet which extends longitudinallythereof and transversely of the vehicle and an upwardly and rearwardlyopening recess; a foldable top mounted on the vehicle; a bow at theforward end of the top, said bow shaped to fit into said rabbet andhaving a forward extension which enters the recess when the top isclosed, said extension and said recess having correspondingly taperedvertical walls which coact to guide the top into position when thelatter is closed and to prevent lateral move- 1- ment of said top whenthe vehicle is in motion, the mentioned parts of said rail and said bowpermitting at least limited linear movement of the bow longitudinally ofthe vehicle and relative of said rail; and means for latching the bow tothe rail.

9. A foldable top construction for Vehicles comprising a stationary railforming the roofs outer surface contour at the forward end of thevehicle, said rail provided with a rabbet which extends longitudinallythereof and transversely of the vehicle and an upwardly and rearwardlyopening recess; a foldable top mounted on the vehicle; a bow at theforward end of the top, said how shaped to fit into said rabbet andhaving a forward extension which enters the recess when the top isclosed, said extension and said recess having correspondingly taperedvertical walls which coact to guide the top into position when thelatter is being closed and to prevent lateral movement of said top whenthe vehicle is in motion, the mentioned parts of said rail and said bowpermitting at least limited linear movement of the bow longitudinally ofthe vehicle and relative to said rail; and interengageable catch andlatch means carried by the rail and bow respectively operable whenengaged with each other to ress-hold the bow solidly forwardly againstthe rail and to restrain the bow against independent movementlongitudinally of the vehicle.

10. A foldable top construction for vehicles comprising a stationaryrail forming the roofs outer surface contour at the forward end of thevehicle, said rail provided with a rabbet which extends longitudinallythereof and transversely of the vehicle and an upwardly and rearwardlyopening recess; a foldable top mounted on the vehicle; a hollow bow atthe forward end of the top, said how shaped to fit into said rabbet andhaving a forward extension which enters the recess when the top isclosed, said extension and said recess having correspondingly taperedvertical walls which coact to guide the top into position when thelatter is closed and to prevent lateral movement of said bow relative tothe rail when the vehicle is in motion, the mentioned parts of said railand said bow permitting at least limited movement of the bowlongitudinally of the vehicle and relative to the rail when said bow isin engagement with and supported by said rail; sealing means for closingthe joint between the bow and the rabbet; and means for latching the topto the rail including spaced catch elements carried by the rail, pivotedlatches mounted on the bow, said latches projecting through openings inthe bow and having cam surfaces which engage said catch elements to pullthe bow forwardly against the rail and shallow sockets behind said camsurfaces which interlock with the catches to press-hold the bow againstthe rail, and actuator means for said latches.

11. A foldable top construction for vehicles comprising an archedstationary rail forming the roofs outer surface contour at the forwardend of the vehicle, said rail provided with a rabbet which extendslongitudinally thereof and transversely of the vehicle and an upwardlyand rearwardly opening recess; a foldable top mounted on the vehicle; ahollow bow at the forward end of the top, said bow shaped to fit intosaid rabbet and having a forward extension which enters the recess whenthe top is closed, said extension and said recess having correspondinglytapered vertical walls which coact to guide the top into position whenthe latter is being closed and to prevent lateral movement of the topwhen the vehicle is in motion, the mentioned parts of said rail and saidbow permitting at least limited linear movement of the bowlongitudinally of the vehicle and relative to the rail when said how isin engagement with and supported by said rail; sealing means for closingthe joint between the bow and the rabbet; and means for latching the topto the rail including spaced catch elements carried by the rail belowsaid rabbet, piv oted latches carried by the bow and engageable withsaid catch elements to pull the bow forwardly solidly against the railwhereby to compress said sealing strip, and an actuator means operablefrom within the vehicle operatively associated at opposite sides of thevehicle with said latches by curvature compensating means, said actuatormeans adapted to move the latches simultaneously to either acatch-engaging or a catch-releasing position.

12. In combination with a foldable vehicle top of the type adapted to besupported at its forward end in a rabbet by how and frame members, whichframe members form the roofs outer surface contour, means for latchingthe top in raised or closed position comprising spaced catch elements onsaid frame members; a bow at the forward edge of the top; latch means onth bow movable about substantially vertical pivots located adjacent theextremities of the bow and 1 1 provided, with catch-engaging end'sswingable in arcuate' paths around said pivots-into and out ofengagement with said catch elements; said catchengaging ends having camsurfaces arranged' to bear against the catch elements as the latchesmove intoengagement therewith and provided behind said cam surfaces withshallow sockets which interlock with said catch elements, said camsurfaces coactive with said catch elements to pull the bow forwardlyagainst the vertical wall of said recess and said shallow socketsoperativeto press-hold the bow thereagainst; and an actuatorco-operatively associated with the-latch means, saidactuator-'including'a manually movable handle, and means fortransmitting motion from thehandle simultaneously: to the latch means,the arrangement being such-that in' one REFERENCES CITED The, followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,014,284 Mobbs Sept. 10, 1935$109,710 Saives Mar. 1, 1938 2,305,715 Keller Dec. 22, 1942 2,360,524Simpson Oct. 17,1944

